Make the World’s Easiest Crocheted Scarf

11 July 201176,023 views44 Comments

by rhonda

Even if you've never picked up a crochet hook in your life, you'll have no problem making this fabulous multi-strand scarf. It was inspired by a similar scarf I spotted at a pricey boutique. The scarf I saw consisted of many long braids tied together in a series of knots. I looked at the dozens of tiny braids and thought, "it would be a zillion times easier to crochet one of these!" It's also a great project for using up random odds and ends from your stash, including novelty yarns. I've found some novelty yarns to be difficult to work with in the past, but they work up very easily for this project and add some interesting variety to your finished scarf!

Project estimate:

Yarn, on hand or $1 and up

Crochet hook, on hand or $1 and up

Scissors, on hand

Total: Free and up

The only stitch you need to know to make this scarf is the easiest crochet stitch there is: the chain stitch. If you're not a crocheter, check out this video to see just how easy it is!

To make your scarf, you'll need to make lots of very long chains. In order to make a scarf long enough to wrap twice around the neck, I started with chains about 10 feet long. You should make at least 15 chains, though you can add as many as you like. (This one has 18 strands.) The more chains you add, the thicker your scarf will be. Use a variety of different yarns and hook sizes to get lots of different widths and textures of chains. (This might take you a while, even if you're a fast crocheter. Hey, I promised you an easy project, not a quick one!)

Hold all of the chains together and tie an overhand knot. Pull the knot as tight as possible; you may need to pull on each individual chain to tighten the knot completely.

Continue knotting approximately every 8 to 12 inches along the length of the chains.

Trim each individual chain to the desired finished length at the ends and tie a knot in each end to stop them from unraveling.

I'm loving these scarves so much that I can't stop making them! Here's another one, this time with 24 strands. Not that I want summer to go too quickly, but I can't wait for fall so I can start wearing them!

Disclosure: this article may contain affiliate links or other forms of sponsored content. Opinions are 100% the author's. Full disclosure policy.

What a great way to use up all the random balls of stash yarn and left-overs! Thanks for the great idea.

# 11 July 2011 at 11:04 am

heather said:

This is so fun. This would be a great starter-crochet project for a grade-schooler, tween, or teen. I would have loved to know this for all the chains I crocheted as a kid. :) I usually just unraveled them because I didn’t know what to do once they were made.

# 11 July 2011 at 11:58 am

Heather's Mom said:

I agree with you that novelty yarn isn’t very fun to work with and ends up looking like something my grandma would wear. This is a nice way to add a little featheryness to the whole scarf without it being too much. This is a fabulous way to use up all the random left-over yarn that is taking up space in the “stash”. It would be a great car or tv project because you could almost do it without looking. Well Done!

I really loved this pattern when I saw the photos this morning, and I was inspired to make a skinny scarf to wear this summer. My scarf was made with fun fur, worsted weight and crochet thread chains. You can see my end result here: http://mlissabeth.blogspot.com/2011/07/easy-crocheted-skinny-scarf.html. I linked back to this blog as my inspiration. I hope you like it.

[…] I also wrote a tutorial for making this scarf over at Dollar Store Crafts, so if you like the look, be sure to go check it out and make one of your own! [how to make an easy multi-strand crocheted scarf] […]

I am so happy to find simple ideas to do with crocheting. This is a very pretty scarf and I know the exact colors I would like to use to make mine.

Thanks!

Kendra~

# 14 July 2011 at 8:03 am

stellaonline said:

Wow, I feel trendy now! I made a mess of these for last winter, and they’re a HUGE hit, and to make it even better, it was actually VERY warm!

The only difference is that I would chain 20 or so, then put a single-crochet to the previous chain, so that instead of knots, my version laid flat, and could be made ridiculously wide, with LOTS of “ribbons.”

I absolutely adore it!! I bought yarn to specifically match my winter coats for my version, but I think I’ll make one with my scraps per your suggestion. It’d be a PERFECT summer/fall scarf!

What a cute and easy idea. I’m planning on making one for my sis for Christmas. I don’t have any yarn but I found some at goodwill for cheap. It’ll be a hodge podge of colors, size, and types of yarn but I think it’ll be great.

[…] I call it the Easy-Peasy Chain-stitch Crochet Scarf. I found the idea on one of my favorite blogs, Dollar Store Crafts. They have step-by-step instructions and photos for assembling the scarf, and even feature a video […]

I love this….Imma definately going to try this…. I want to learn how to make an crochet scarf…life an infinity…but this is a great way to start…Im going to share this on my BLOG..
Thanks

# 10 October 2011 at 9:31 am

Suz said:

This is a great looking scarf, and a great way mix different textures. I found a wide variety of funky yarns and had no idea of what to do with them, but I bought them anyways. I cannot wait to make a bunch of these. Thanks for this post.

# 19 October 2011 at 6:55 am

Roberta said:

Thank you so much for this idea. I’ve had it bookmarked for awhile and over the last two weeks have crocheted a chain here and there and kast night finished my scarf. I LOVE it, my husband, kids and neighbor really liked it too! These will be great Christmas gifts. Thanks again for the inspiration. :)

Okay, so I made one of these, my friend sold it to her co-worker and now she wants 6 more. Apparently this style is popular around here and are selling like crazy. Thank you so much for posting this pattern/idea.

[…] to be fun for so long. I needed something to help me feel productive. I’m easing in with this creative project. Yes, I am now that crazy woman with yarn sitting poolside during swim class. Share […]

# 25 September 2012 at 8:41 pm

Wendy said:

Hello,

I saw this yesterday and could not wait to get started. I can not believe how fast it is coming together and all the color combinations I am planning! So glad I found this one!!

Thanks
Wendy

# 21 October 2012 at 8:00 am

Sara said:

I really love this idea. Do you have a time estimate for this? I have never crocheted before, but I’d like to think I could catch on quickly.

# 5 November 2012 at 11:49 am

heather said:

@Sara, I’m guessing it would take about an hour or maybe two depending on how many strands.

I just stumbled across your blog while looking for an easy crochet project. I am obsessed! I have already made 4 and have 2 more planned as gifts for Christmas. I plan on making a bunch more to keep on hand for gifts. Thank you so much!

Love this!!! I”m making summer scarfs for my 3-day walk fundraiser and just made one of these!! Thanks for sharing!

# 20 April 2013 at 11:03 pm

Barb Cleary said:

I’m visiting my son in Georgia but can’t wait to get home to dig out all my leftover yarn. yay !!!!! What a fun scarf, especially for my 20 something nieces. They will think I’m “way cool” when I give them as Christmas gifts !!

# 25 October 2013 at 7:05 am

alice said:

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this scarf! It’s the easiest to make and looks wonderful. I’ve taught my niece to finger crochet (slipknots) and she made her own scarf. I’ve already made 3 different ones and plan on making more. THANKS for the idea!